Thursday, May 25, 2006

May 25th Demos

Today one year has lapsed since black referendum day, the day that could have been the start of a new Egypt, en route towards more democratization, instead it became one of the first major indications, that the game of opening up the Egyptian society , was a charade and the stalled society with democracy in portions was still on, this was but, one of the first field days for thugs and police alike, beating up demonstrators, specifically targeting women activists and journalists, in a pattern familiar from before(March 03) and after (14 days ago) ,by sexually assaulting them.

For those of you not yet familiar with the events of that day, read never forget, compiled by Alaá and Manal, Alaá was one of those who got beaten up that day, and today, as you all probably know, he´s in Torah prison, one of about 700 arrested during the last month for protesting against the extended emergency law, and in support of a free judiciary.

I myself wrote this about what happend five days later, it ends like this:

¨The significance of the day of the referendum on the 25th of May is yet to be decided. The way the regime opted to crush down on two small demonstrations is not. The projected image of Egypt as a country on the way towards democratization was dealt a blow in international political circles last wednesday. For the Egyptian People, the reality of Egypt´s stalled society and the democratic facade has been there for to long - kifayya¨

Join peaceful demonstrations around the globe to remember May 25th and to support the Egyptian judges in their quest for a free judiciary.

There is something you can do in support of those injured, sexually assaulted and arrested by Egyptian security forces on May 25th, 2005 (black referendum day), and in solidarity with the hundreds of Egyptian citizens currently under arrest:

Cairo, Thursday 25th of May

11.30 a. m.

Protest of university professors in front of main hall of Cairo University calling for the release of detained faculty and students.

1.30 p.m.

Protest rally in front of JUDGES CLUB in solidarity with the honorable judges of Egypt

3 p.m.

Protest rally in front of PRESS SYNDICATE where Egyptian security forces committed their crimes on the 25th of May 2005.

The world demonstrates with us on the 24th, 25th and 26th of May

Wednesday 24 May:

Paris: Demo in front of Egyptian embassy

Thursday 25 May

Athens: Demo, 7 p.m. in front of Egyptian embassy.

Chicago: Demo, 12 noon in front of Egyptian consulate

New York: Demo in front of Egyptian consulate

London: Demo, 5.30 p.m. in front of Egyptian embassy.

Montreal: Demo, 12 noon in front of Egyptian consulate.

Toronto: Demo, in front of Egypt Air Office.

LIGHTS WILL BE OFF IN CAIRO HOUSEHOLDS FROM 9 TO 10 PM IN SUPPORT OF JUDGES ON THAT DAY (MAY 25th)